Solution Day Debriefing. Report from Hampstead.

They came from Hopkinton, Derry, Windham, Sandown, Freemont, Plaistow, Kingston, Exeter and Florida to join Hampstead‘s residents for the American Solutions Day workshops at the Hampstead Middle School.

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Forty-six attendees—42 registered and 4 who chose not to register—were in the room when the meeting convened at 12:55 PM.  What we lacked in numbers was more than made up by the enthusiasm and stimulating discussions of the participants.

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After welcoming remarks and some administrative details by host Jorge Mesa-Tejada, moderator Peter Bearse opened the meeting at 1:00 PM with Newt’s introduction.  The attendees raptly listened and utterances of “YES!!” and “Right on!!” were heard during Newt’s 30-minute introductory remarks.

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The group overwhelmingly chose illegal Immigration as the first topic of discussion.  The common feeling was that Washington had surrendered border and immigration control to world politics because there are existing laws and tools to handle the situation. What is lacking is the will to use and enforce them.

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The consensus to fix the problem was that we should 1) enforce the existing laws, 2) close the border, 3) develop a secure Social Security Card with photo [NOT a national ID card] and 3) hold employers directly accountable for hiring illegal immigrants with concomitant severe penalties leading to closing the business after three convictions.

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The topic for the second session led to a spirited discussion because some were in favor of the flat tax and others favored the fair tax.  After an explanation of the differences, the fair tax won.  Even then, the subsequent brainstorming showed certain reticence about imposing a fair tax and not some kind of income tax. The main argument was that it would really affect the poor. In the end, there was overwhelming support for the institution of a fair tax over a flat tax.  The concern then turned as to doubts that the powers that be would allow it to become law.  It was pointed out that that was precisely where we, activists, came in—one here, one there until there was a veritable army behind it.

The final decision was to support the fair tax at the local, state and federal levels until it replaces the income tax by 1) heavily lobbying officials through mail, phone, letters, personal visits and petitions, and 2) undertake public education campaigns.

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The clear choice for the third and last topic was Education and Health. After listening to Mike Huckabee speak, many people expressed dismay at the state of public education and how it had been highjacked by the NEA. Today’s public school system has to go. They see Charter Schools and Home Schooling as the immediate salvation with school choice as the eventual goal.  Not holding the student responsible for his actions was identified as the main reason why schools are ineffective.

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The action items were 1) contact state reps to make Charter School approval (RSA194-B) easier and fairer to implement than at present, 2) restore seed money to the state budget to start charter schools, 3) work to make school choice a reality along the lines of Follow the Child concept, and 4) pressure local school boards to change school philosophy from one of encouraging self-esteem to enforcing student’s personal responsibility.

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The discussion continued well after Newt’s closing remarks ended at 5:15 PM.  Although the group dwindled in numbers during the 4½ hours, the twenty-six who stayed remained fully engaged almost till 6:00 PM when we were kicked out by the Middle School custodial staff who wanted to clean up the place. 

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The loudest cry was “When do we meet again?”  They were energized and thirsty for more opportunities.  They thanked the host for the opportunity to meet and encouraged him to convene more meetings who, in turn, promised to keep in contact with those who left an email address to alert them to new venues and possibilities.

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In the end, the consensus was that although Newt chose not to run for the Presidency, he unleashed a pent up torrent of activism the likes of which have not been seen in the US in recent memory.  The problem now is how to direct that torrent toward constructive ends and, more importantly, how to maintain the energy and enthusiasm of the people.

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We will use the Internet, blogs, email, phone and local meetings to keep the enthusiasm going and the activists connected. And we are serving notice to public officials:  it is OUR GOVERNMENT and OUR LAWS– not yours–and WE ARE YOUR BOSSES. 

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We strongly believe that political apathy died on September 29th at 5:20 PM.  The powers that be better take notice….PRONTO!!!

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Underlying all this activity were the delicious finger sandwiches, homemade raspberry filled cookies and brownies, water/sodas and coffee prepared by Wayne Dumas of Hampstead’s Don’s Market, which sustained the group and were graciously underwritten by VictoryNH.

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And so it came to pass that, after promising each other to keep in touch, we reluctantly parted ways to go home to recuperate, savor having been part of an unprecedented national event and enjoy the waning warmth and daylight of a memorable September afternoon in Hampstead.

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